Curtains aren’t just for windows – over the years, I’ve discovered many intriguing and unconventional ways to use them. In this second part of my curtain guide, I’m excited to share some of the most stunning and practical ideas. If you’re searching for tips on selecting and hanging curtains in your home, don’t miss part one from last week.
To Conceal Open Storage
Curtains offer a fantastic solution for hiding hanging rails, open wardrobes, shelves, and more. You might choose a fabric that blends with the walls or make a bold statement with an accent color. If the storage is near a window, consider extending the same curtain across both, using a curved track to navigate corners. This approach adds a touch of hotel-like elegance and creates a soft, cocooning atmosphere, especially suited for bedrooms.
As a Room Divider
Curtains serve as versatile and cost-effective dividers for open-plan spaces, allowing you to close off and reveal different areas as needed. It’s a technique I’ve seen used to stunning effect in showrooms, but it works equally well in smaller residential spaces. Use them to screen off dining and sitting areas from kitchens, create a cozy nook, or even hide children’s play spaces when guests visit. Opt for semi-sheer fabric for a bit of separation without blocking light, or choose heavier curtains that act more like movable walls.
To Create a Sleeping Nook
Curtains are perfect for creating privacy around a sleeping area – ideal in studio apartments where the living room doubles as a bedroom, or if you have a guest bed in a multi-purpose space. Black-out curtains and those with sound-dampening properties can be particularly useful, especially if some people need to use the room while others are resting.
To Conceal Workspaces
If you lack space for an office or study but still need a dedicated work area, a curtained-off desk could be a simple solution. It allows you to easily close it off at the end of the day, creating separation between work and home life – crucial if it’s in a living room or bedroom, where relaxation is key. No one wants to be distracted by paperwork or unfinished tasks when trying to unwind or sleep! Position the desk in a window for dual functionality, or place it in a nook that can be screened off or opened up as needed.
As a Headboard or Backdrop
A curtain hung against the wall behind a bed can serve as a striking focal point, with or without an additional headboard (just be cautious not to pull it down if you lean against it). This trick also works well behind sofas and dining tables, or in any area where you want to create an elegant and intimate feel.
To Cover Entire Walls
Take it a step further by covering an entire wall with drapes. While often done in commercial spaces and event halls, it can also work on a smaller scale in homes. It’s a great way to add softness and warmth to rooms that feel cold or uninviting, or to hide unattractive paint or brickwork. Consider using it to create contrast – perhaps tactile fabric alongside concrete or rough stone. Sheer voile curtains can also run along the length of a wall that includes windows.
To Create Privacy with Internal Glazing
Glass walls, internal windows, and glazed doors are excellent for letting natural light flow from one space to another, often used to brighten areas lacking external windows. If you’re interested in learning more about creating privacy and aesthetics in your home, check out our guide on the feline five: understanding cat personality.
Privacy can be a challenge in spaces that lack natural light, such as an ensuite bathroom without windows. A simple solution is to draw curtains when necessary.
How about you? Have you tried using curtains in a unique way in your home?